Medicament injection device

ABSTRACT

A medicament delivery device comprising: a main body arranged to receive a medicament cartridge sealed with a penetrable barrier; a needle carrier carrying a needle; a cap removably coupled to the needle carrier, a pre-stressed spring connected to the needle carrier and to the main body, wherein the pre-stressed spring is held by an activation element coupled to the cap, wherein the activation element is arranged to release the spring when the cap is pulled in a distal direction from the device, thereby causing the needle carrier to move axially in a proximal direction.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is the national stage entry of InternationalPatent Application No. PCT/EP2016/078262, filed on Nov. 21, 2016, andclaims priority to Application No. EP 15196693.4, filed in on Nov. 27,2015, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to medicament injection devices

BACKGROUND

Medicament injection devices can take the form of a syringe, wherebymedicament is provided in a tubular barrel having a plunger and anoutlet to which a needle is connected. A user connects the needle to thereservoir manually before the injection takes place. The attachment ofthe needle to the syringe requires some dexterity and is difficult forthose having poor coordination, such as patients who have lost a degreeof sensation in their hands.

While it is possible to provide injection devices in which the needle ispre-attached to a medicament cartridge, in certain situations it isdesirable to provide a device in which the needle is kept separate fromthe medicament until such time as the user wishes to commence theinjection.

SUMMARY

According to a first embodiment, there is provided a medicament deliverydevice comprising: a main body arranged to receive a medicamentcartridge sealed with a penetrable barrier; a needle carrier carrying aneedle; a cap removably coupled to the needle carrier, a pre-stressedspring connected to the needle carrier and to the main body, wherein thepre-stressed spring is held by an activation element coupled to the cap,wherein the activation element is arranged to release the spring whenthe cap is pulled in a distal direction from the device, thereby causingthe needle carrier to move axially in a proximal direction.

The needle carrier may comprise a cup-shaped part configured to form africtional fit with the medicament cartridge.

The cup-shaped part may have a lip to grip the medicament cartridge orthe cartridge holder.

The device may further comprise a needle shield for shielding the distalend of the needle, wherein the needle shield is arranged to be fixed tothe cap and removable from the needle.

The main body may comprise a cartridge holder for receiving themedicament cartridge.

The pre-stressed spring may be a constant force spring fixed, at a firstend thereof, to the cartridge holder and, at a second end thereof, to acarrier attached to the needle carrier, wherein the constant forcespring is held in a pre-stressed state by a removable portion of theactivation element.

The pre-stressed spring may be a pull spring attached at a first endthereof to the main body and, at a second end thereof, to the needlecarrier.

The pre-stressed spring may be a pull spring attached, at a first endthereof to the cartridge holder and, at a second end thereof, to theneedle carrier.

The activation element may be a detent disposed on the interior of thecap.

The cap may have pivotable side walls that are arranged to release thedetent when the cap is squeezed.

The detent may be releasable after rotationally aligning the cap withthe needle holder.

The device may contain a medicament cartridge and axial movement of theneedle carrier causes the needle to penetrate the penetrable barrier ofthe medicament cartridge.

The medicament cartridge may contain a medicament.

The device may be an auto-injector.

According to a second embodiment, there is provided a method ofoperating a medicament injection device having a cap, the methodcomprising: pulling the cap in a distal axial direction to remove thecap from the device to release a pre-stressed spring thereby causingproximal movement of a needle carrier needle, wherein a proximal end ofthe need is caused to pierce a penetrable barrier of a medicamentcartridge.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

So that the disclosure can be fully understood, embodiments thereof willbe described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGS. 1A and 1B are side-on views of an auto-injector device accordingto embodiments of the disclosure;

FIG. 2A is a side-on cross sectional schematic view of a distal end of adevice according to a first embodiment;

FIG. 2B is a schematic diagram of components of the device shown in FIG.2A;

FIG. 3 is a side-on cross sectional schematic view of the distal end ofthe device shown in FIG. 2 during an early stage of cap removal;

FIG. 4A is a side-on cross sectional schematic view of the distal end ofthe device shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 during a later stage of cap removal;

FIG. 4B is a schematic diagram of components of the device shown in FIG.4A;

FIG. 5 is a side-on cross sectional schematic view of a device accordingto a second embodiment prior to cap removal;

FIG. 6 is a side-on cross sectional schematic view of the device shownin FIG. 5 subsequent to cap removal; and

FIG. 7 shows a cap having pivotable sides.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments of the disclosure provide a mechanism for inserting theneedle of an injection device such as an auto-injector or syringe into amedicament cartridge containing the medicament to be injected. Providingsuch a mechanism allows the medicament cartridge to be sealed until suchtime as the user wishes to commence the injection. Providing anautomated mechanism for inserting the needle into the medicamentcartridge also reduces the amount of handling of the needle by the userprior to the injection. Indeed, in embodiments of the disclosure theuser does not need to touch the needle during the steps of inserting theneedle into the medicament cartridge and subsequently actuating theinjection of the medicament.

Embodiments of the disclosure make the needle insertion mechanismdependent on the removal of the device cap. A pre-stressed spring iscoupled to the device body and to the needle holder which holds aneedle. After assembly of the device and during storage, the fixation ofthe spring keeps the needle separate from the medicament cartridge. Asthe cap is removed, the spring is released causing the needle to piercethe septum of the medicament cartridge.

A drug delivery device, as described herein, may be configured to injecta medicament into a patient. For example, delivery could besub-cutaneous, intra-muscular, or intravenous. Such a device could beoperated by a patient or care-giver, such as a nurse or physician, andcan include various types of safety syringe, pen-injector, orauto-injector. The device can include a cartridge-based system thatrequires piercing a sealed ampule before use. Volumes of medicamentdelivered with these various devices can range from about 0.5 ml toabout 2 ml. Yet another device can include a large volume device (“LVD”)or patch pump, configured to adhere to a patient's skin for a period oftime (e.g., about 5, 15, 30, 60, or 120 minutes) to deliver a “large”volume of medicament (typically about 2 ml to about 10 ml).

In combination with a specific medicament, the presently describeddevices may also be customized in order to operate within requiredspecifications. For example, the device may be customized to inject amedicament within a certain time period (e.g., about 3 to about 20seconds for auto-injectors, and about 10 minutes to about 60 minutes foran LVD). Other specifications can include a low or minimal level ofdiscomfort, or to certain conditions related to human factors,shelf-life, expiry, biocompatibility, environmental considerations, etc.Such variations can arise due to various factors, such as, for example,a drug ranging in viscosity from about 3 cP to about 50 cP.Consequently, a drug delivery device will often include a hollow needleranging from about 25 to about 31 Gauge in size. Common sizes are 27 and29 Gauge.

The delivery devices described herein can also include one or moreautomated functions. For example, one or more of needle insertion,medicament injection, and needle retraction can be automated. Energy forone or more automation steps can be provided by one or more energysources. Energy sources can include, for example, mechanical, pneumatic,chemical, or electrical energy. For example, mechanical energy sourcescan include springs, levers, elastomers, or other mechanical mechanismsto store or release energy. One or more energy sources can be combinedinto a single device. Devices can further include gears, valves, orother mechanisms to convert energy into movement of one or morecomponents of a device.

The one or more automated functions of an auto-injector may each beactivated via an activation mechanism. Such an activation mechanism caninclude one or more of a button, a lever, a needle sleeve, or otheractivation component. Activation of an automated function may be aone-step or multi-step process. That is, a user may need to activate oneor more activation components in order to cause the automated function.For example, in a one-step process, a user may depress a needle sleeveagainst their body in order to cause injection of a medicament. Otherdevices may require a multi-step activation of an automated function.For example, a user may be required to depress a button and retract aneedle shield in order to cause injection.

In addition, activation of one automated function may activate one ormore subsequent automated functions, thereby forming an activationsequence. For example, activation of a first automated function mayactivate at least two of needle insertion, medicament injection, andneedle retraction. Some devices may also require a specific sequence ofsteps to cause the one or more automated functions to occur. Otherdevices may operate with a sequence of independent steps.

Some delivery devices can include one or more functions of a safetysyringe, pen-injector, or auto-injector. For example, a delivery devicecould include a mechanical energy source configured to automaticallyinject a medicament (as typically found in an auto-injector) and a dosesetting mechanism (as typically found in a pen-injector).

According to some embodiments of the present disclosure, an exemplarydrug delivery device 10 is shown in FIGS. 1A & 1B. Device 10, asdescribed above, is configured to inject a medicament into a patient'sbody. Device 10 includes a main body 11 which typically contains areservoir containing the medicament to be injected (e.g., a syringe) andthe components required to facilitate one or more steps of the deliveryprocess. Device 10 can also include a cap assembly 12 that can bedetachably mounted to the main body 11. Typically a user must remove cap12 from main body 11 before device 10 can be operated.

As shown, main body 11 is substantially cylindrical and has asubstantially constant diameter along the longitudinal axis X. The mainbody 11 has a distal region 120 and a proximal region 121. The term“distal” refers to a location that is relatively closer to a site ofinjection, and the term “proximal” refers to a location that isrelatively further away from the injection site. Device 10 can alsoinclude a needle sleeve 24 coupled to main body 11 to permit movement ofsleeve 24 relative to main body 11. For example, sleeve 24 can move in alongitudinal direction parallel to longitudinal axis X. Specifically,movement of sleeve 24 in a proximal direction can permit a needle 17 toextend from distal region 120 of main body 11.

Insertion of needle 17 can occur via several mechanisms. For example,needle 17 may be fixedly located relative to main body 11 and initiallybe located within an extended needle sleeve 24. Proximal movement ofsleeve 24 by placing a distal end of sleeve 24 against a patient's bodyand moving main body 11 in a distal direction will uncover the distalend of needle 17. Such relative movement allows the distal end of needle17 to extend into the patient's body. Such insertion is termed “manual”insertion as needle 17 is manually inserted via the patient's manualmovement of main body 11 relative to sleeve 24.

Another form of insertion is “automated,” whereby needle 17 movesrelative to main body 11. Such insertion can be triggered by movement ofsleeve 24 or by another form of activation, such as, for example, abutton 122. As shown in FIGS. 1A & 1B, button 122 is located at aproximal end of main body 11. However, in other embodiments, button 122could be located on a side of main body 11.

Other manual or automated features can include drug injection or needleretraction, or both. Injection is the process by which a bung or piston123 is moved from a proximal location within a syringe (not shown) to amore distal location within the syringe in order to force a medicamentfrom the syringe through needle 17. In some embodiments, a drive spring(not shown) is under compression before device 10 is activated. Aproximal end of the drive spring can be fixed within proximal region 121of main body 11, and a distal end of the drive spring can be configuredto apply a compressive force to a proximal surface of piston 123.Following activation, at least part of the energy stored in the drivespring can be applied to the proximal surface of piston 123. Thiscompressive force can act on piston 123 to move it in a distaldirection. Such distal movement acts to compress the liquid medicamentwithin the syringe, forcing it out of needle 17.

Following injection, needle 17 can be retracted within sleeve 24 or mainbody 11. Retraction can occur when sleeve 24 moves distally as a userremoves device 10 from a patient's body. This can occur as needle 17remains fixedly located relative to main body 11. Once a distal end ofsleeve 24 has moved past a distal end of needle 17, and needle 17 iscovered, sleeve 24 can be locked. Such locking can include locking anyproximal movement of sleeve 13 relative to main body 11.

Another form of needle retraction can occur if needle 17 is movedrelative to main body 11. Such movement can occur if the syringe withinmain body 11 is moved in a proximal direction relative to main body 11.This proximal movement can be achieved by using a retraction spring (notshown), located in distal region 120. A compressed retraction spring,when activated, can supply sufficient force to the syringe to move it ina proximal direction. Following sufficient retraction, any relativemovement between needle 17 and main body 11 can be locked with a lockingmechanism. In addition, button 122 or other components of device 10 canbe locked as required.

FIG. 2A shows a cross-sectional view of a distal end of a device 10. Thedevice 10 has tubular main body 11 and a cap 12.

The cap 12 fits over a needle sleeve 24 and abuts the distal end of themain body 11. The cap 12 has an end wall and a curved side wall. The cap12 comprises a tubular member 12 a extending from the end wall of thecap 12. The tubular member is of a suitable diameter to receive agenerally cylindrical needle shield 25 in which the distal end of aneedle is stored. A frictional fit is formed between the tubular member12 a and the needle shield 25 containing the distal end of the needle 17during assembly of the device 10. The frictional fit is sufficientlystrong so that, as the cap 12 is removed, the needle shield 25 is alsoremoved. The fit between the tubular member 12 a and the needle shield25 may also be provided using clips.

Alternatively, the needle shield 25 may be formed out of thermoplasticelastomer (TPE) which is moulded on to the cap using an adhesive bond orglued thereto. Indeed, in some embodiments no tubular member 12 a isprovided and the needle shield is attached to the main body of the cap12. The outer surface of the tubular member 12 a is provided with a hook12 b or other suitable catch to which the distal end of an activationelement 26 is attached.

The device 10 comprises a needle 17 which is held towards the proximalend of the needle 17 by a needle holder 18. The distal end of the needleis originally covered by the needle shield 25 which, in the embodimentshown in FIGS. 2-4, is inserted into the tubular member 12 a of the cap12 to form a frictional fit. As stated above, in alternative embodimentsno tubular member 12 a is provided. The needle holder 18 which holds theneedle 17 is axially movable relative to the main body 11 and thecartridge 19. The needle holder has a generally cup-shaped portion 18 aand a passage through which the needle 17 passes. The cup-shaped portion18 a is shaped to engage with the head 23 of the cartridge 19.

In some embodiments, the cup-shaped portion 18 a of the needle holder 18comprises a lip which serves to clip onto a head 23 of the medicamentcartridge 19 to prevent detachment of the needle holder 18 from thecartridge 19 subsequent to attachment of the needle holder 18 to thecartridge 19. Alternatively, the needle holder 18 may be arranged toclip on to the cartridge holder 20.

The auto-injector device 10 comprises a cartridge 19 which is held inplace by a cartridge holder 20. The cartridge holder 20 and cartridge 19are connected and fixed relative to the main body 11 of the device 10.The cartridge 19 has a cartridge body 21 a neck 22 and a head 23. Thehead 23 is wider than the neck 22, thereby forming a flanged end. Theneck 22 and head 23 contain a passage allowing medicament to passtherethrough as well as to receive the needle 17 once inserted. The head23 is provided with a penetrable barrier such as a septum 24 to closeoff the passage and to seal the contents of the medicament cartridge 19.The cartridge body 21, neck 22 and head 23 may be generally cylindricalin shape. However, alternative shapes may be employed.

Referring to FIGS. 2A and 2B, the cartridge holder 20 is provided with aconstant force spring 27, a spring carrier 28 fixed to the needle holder18 and a stopper 29 which is fixed with respect to the medicamentcartridge. The constant force spring 27 may be a rolled ribbon of springsteel or other metal such that the spring is relaxed when it is fullyroiled up. In alternative embodiments, the spring carrier 28 may form anintegral part of the needle holder 18. The spring 27 is connected withthe spring carrier 28 and pre-stressed by the activation element 26having an activation element body 26 a at a proximal end thereof whichprevents the spring returning to its equilibrium position and thestopper 29 which holds the activation element body 26 a in place. Theproximal end of the spring 27 is fixed by a fixing element 30. Thedistal end of the activation element 26 is provided with a loop (notshown) which fits over the hook 12 b located on the tubular member 12 a.In alternative embodiments, the activation element 26 may be fixed tothe main body of the cap 12.

FIG. 3 shows a cross section of the distal portion of the device 10 asthe user pulls the cap 12 in an axial direction away from the main body11 of the device 10. At the instant shown in FIG. 3, the user pulls onthe cap 12 which thereby moves axially away from the main body 11 of thedevice 10. The hook 12 b exerts a pulling force on the activationelement 26. The activation element body 26 a is displaced.

FIG. 4A shows a cross section of the distal portion of the device 10 asthe spring 27 is released. At this instant, the activation element body26 a is decoupled from the spring 27. FIG. 4B shows schematically, themovement of the spring 27 and spring carrier 28. The coiled portion ofthe spring 27 winds onto the unwound portion causing the carrier 28 tomove axially towards the medicament cartridge 19. The needle holder 18,which is fixed to carrier 28 and needle 17 also move axially towards themedicament cartridge 19. The proximal end of the needle 17 pierces theseptum of the medicament cartridge 19.

The cup shaped part 18 a of the needle holder 18 fits over the head 23of the medicament cartridge 19 forming a frictional fit. In embodiments,having a lip around the inner edge of the cup shaped part 18 a, the lipfits over the base of the head 23.

The cap 12 is thereby removed. The needle shield 25 is retained by thetubular member 12 b of the cap 12. Once the cap has been removed, thedistal end of the device 10 may be placed against the patient'sinjection site and the injection commenced.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing a device 50 according to analternative embodiment. The device 50 comprises a cylindrical main body51, a cap 52, a needle 53 held by an axially movable needle holder 54and a medicament cartridge 55.

The main body 51 is generally cylindrical and has a collar 51 aextending radially inwardly towards a neck 55 a of the medicamentcartridge 55. Alternatively, a medicament cartridge holder may beprovided to hold the medicament cartridge 55 so that it is fixed withrespect to the main body 51.

A pull spring 56 is attached, at one end thereof, to the collar 51 a ofthe body 51 or medicament cartridge holder. At the other end, the pullspring 56 is attached to the needle holder 54. As shown in FIG. 5, thepull spring 56 is extended from its equilibrium length and is set undertension. During assembly of the device 50, the needle holder 54 ispulled away from the collar 51 a or cartridge holder so that thepull-spring 56 is set under tension.

During assembly of the device, the connection of the pull-spring 56 onthe cartridge holder and the connection of the pull-spring 56 on theneedle holder 54 can be achieved by co-moulding, i.e. that the spring isdirectly inserted into the plastics moulding tool when moulding theparts. Alternatively, the pull spring 56 may be fixated using a clip orscrewed in. In other embodiments, the spring can be attached with thehelp of hooks to the plastic parts. The pull-spring 56 may bemanufactured from a metal (or other suitable material) that is strongenough to hold the needle holder 54 under tension during transit andstorage of the device 50.

The cap 52 comprises a detent 57 such as an arm on the interior of thedevice cap 52 which holds the needle holder 54 in place so that theseparation between the needle holder 54 and cartridge holder or collar51 a is maintained. The detent 57 acts as an activation element andprevents premature movement of the needle holder 54.

As shown in FIG. 6, as the user pulls the cap 52 from the main body 51of the device, the detent 57 snaps over the needle holder 54. In someembodiments, the cap 52 may be squeezed towards the distal end thereof,causing the detent 57 to pivot outwards and disengage with the needleholder 54, as shown in FIG. 7. The pull-spring 56 is thereby releasedand shortens in length. In some embodiments, the detent 57 may bearranged so that it can only release the pull-spring once the cap 52 hasbeen rotationally aligned with the needle holder 54. Due to theshortening of the pull-spring 57, the needle holder 54 is caused to moveaxially towards the cartridge holder or collar 51 a. The needle 53pierces the cartridge septum 55 b with the proximal tip thereof. A fluidconnection is thereby established between the medicament cartridge 55and the needle 53.

The skilled person will recognise advantages provided by embodiments ofthe disclosure. For example, fewer user handling steps for the usercompared with manual assembly of a needle to a device. The user steps ofinserting the needle into the medicament cartridge and removing the capare combined. This provides a reduced risk for needle stick injuries asthe needle shield does not need to be detached separately.

Embodiments above are described with respect to auto-injectors. However,embodiments relating to other types of injectors, such as syringes, alsofall within the scope of the disclosure.

The terms “drug” or “medicament” are used synonymously herein anddescribe a pharmaceutical formulation containing one or more activepharmaceutical ingredients or pharmaceutically acceptable salts orsolvates thereof, and optionally a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.An active pharmaceutical ingredient (“API”), in the broadest terms, is achemical structure that has a biological effect on humans or animals. Inpharmacology, a drug or medicament is used in the treatment, cure,prevention, or diagnosis of disease or used to otherwise enhancephysical or mental well-being. A drug or medicament may be used for alimited duration, or on a regular basis for chronic disorders.

As described below, a drug or medicament can include at least one API,or combinations thereof, in various types of formulations, for thetreatment of one or more diseases. Examples of API may include smallmolecules having a molecular weight of 500 Da or less; polypeptides,peptides and proteins (e.g., hormones, growth factors, antibodies,antibody fragments, and enzymes); carbohydrates and polysaccharides; andnucleic acids, double or single stranded DNA (including naked and cDNA),RNA, antisense nucleic acids such as antisense DNA and RNA, smallinterfering RNA (siRNA), ribozymes, genes, and oligonucleotides. Nucleicacids may be incorporated into molecular delivery systems such asvectors, plasmids, or liposomes. Mixtures of one or more drugs are alsocontemplated.

The term “drug delivery device” shall encompass any type of device orsystem configured to dispense a drug or medicament into a human oranimal body. Without limitation, a drug delivery device may be aninjection device (e.g., syringe, pen injector, auto injector,large-volume device, pump, perfusion system, or other device configuredfor intraocular, subcutaneous, intramuscular, or intravasculardelivery), skin patch (e.g., osmotic, chemical, micro-needle), inhaler(e.g., nasal or pulmonary), an implantable device (e.g., drug- orAPI-coated stent, capsule), or a feeding system for thegastro-intestinal tract. The presently described drugs may beparticularly useful with injection devices that include a needle, e.g.,a hypodermic needle for example having a Gauge number of 24 or higher.

The drug or medicament may be contained in a primary package or “drugcontainer” adapted for use with a drug delivery device. The drugcontainer may be, e.g., a cartridge, syringe, reservoir, or other solidor flexible vessel configured to provide a suitable chamber for storage(e.g., short- or long-term storage) of one or more drugs. For example,in some instances, the chamber may be designed to store a drug for atleast one day (e.g., 1 to at least 30 days). In some instances, thechamber may be designed to store a drug for about 1 month to about 2years. Storage may occur at room temperature (e.g., about 20° C.), orrefrigerated temperatures (e.g., from about −4° C. to about 4° C.). Insome instances, the drug container may be or may include a dual-chambercartridge configured to store two or more components of thepharmaceutical formulation to-be-administered (e.g., an API and adiluent, or two different drugs) separately, one in each chamber. Insuch instances, the two chambers of the dual-chamber cartridge may beconfigured to allow mixing between the two or more components prior toand/or during dispensing into the human or animal body. For example, thetwo chambers may be configured such that they are in fluid communicationwith each other (e.g., by way of a conduit between the two chambers) andallow mixing of the two components when desired by a user prior todispensing. Alternatively or in addition, the two chambers may beconfigured to allow mixing as the components are being dispensed intothe human or animal body.

The drugs or medicaments contained in the drug delivery devices asdescribed herein can be used for the treatment and/or prophylaxis ofmany different types of medical disorders. Examples of disordersinclude, e.g., diabetes mellitus or complications associated withdiabetes mellitus such as diabetic retinopathy, thromboembolismdisorders such as deep vein or pulmonary thromboembolism. Furtherexamples of disorders are acute coronary syndrome (ACS), angina,myocardial infarction, cancer, macular degeneration, inflammation, hayfever, atherosclerosis and/or rheumatoid arthritis. Examples of APIs anddrugs are those as described in handbooks such as Rote Liste 2014, forexample, without limitation, main groups 12 (anti-diabetic drugs) or 86(oncology drugs), and Merck Index, 15^(th) edition.

Examples of APIs for the treatment and/or prophylaxis of type 1 or type2 diabetes mellitus or complications associated with type 1 or type 2diabetes mellitus include an insulin, e.g., human insulin, or a humaninsulin analogue or derivative, a glucagon-like peptide (GLP-1), GLP-1analogues or GLP-1 receptor agonists, or an analogue or derivativethereof, a dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP4) inhibitor, or apharmaceutically acceptable salt or solvate thereof, or any mixturethereof. As used herein, the terms “analogue” and “derivative” refer toany substance which is sufficiently structurally similar to the originalsubstance so as to have substantially similar functionality or activity(e.g., therapeutic effectiveness). In particular, the term “analogue”refers to a polypeptide which has a molecular structure which formallycan be derived from the structure of a naturally occurring peptide, forexample that of human insulin, by deleting and/or exchanging at leastone amino acid residue occurring in the naturally occurring peptideand/or by adding at least one amino acid residue. The added and/orexchanged amino acid residue can either be codable amino acid residuesor other naturally occurring residues or purely synthetic amino acidresidues. Insulin analogues are also referred to as “insulin receptorligands”. In particular, the term “derivative” refers to a polypeptidewhich has a molecular structure which formally can be derived from thestructure of a naturally occurring peptide, for example that of humaninsulin, in which one or more organic substituent (e.g. a fatty acid) isbound to one or more of the amino acids. Optionally, one or more aminoacids occurring in the naturally occurring peptide may have been deletedand/or replaced by other amino acids, including non-codeable aminoacids, or amino acids, including non-codeable, have been added to thenaturally occurring peptide.

Examples of insulin analogues are Gly(A21), Arg(B31), Arg(B32) humaninsulin (insulin glargine); Lys(B3), Glu(B29) human insulin (insulinglulisine); Lys(B28), Pro(B29) human insulin (insulin lispro); Asp(B28)human insulin (insulin aspart); human insulin, wherein proline inposition B28 is replaced by Asp, Lys, Leu, Val or Ala and wherein inposition B29 Lys may be replaced by Pro; Ala(B26) human insulin;Des(B28-B30) human insulin; Des(B27) human insulin and Des(B30) humaninsulin.

Examples of insulin derivatives are, for example,B29-N-myristoyl-des(B30) human insulin, Lys(B29)(N-tetradecanoyl)-des(B30) human insulin (insulin detemir, Levemir®);B29-N-palmitoyl-des(B30) human insulin; B29-N-myristoyl human insulin;B29-N-palmitoyl human insulin; B28-N-myristoyl LysB28ProB29 humaninsulin; B28-N-palmitoyl-LysB28ProB29 human insulin;B30-N-myristoyl-ThrB29LysB30 human insulin; B30-N-palmitoyl-ThrB29LysB30human insulin; B29-N—(N-palmitoyl-gamma-glutamyl)-des(B30) humaninsulin, B29-N-omega-carboxypentadecanoyl-gamma-L-glutamyl-des(B30)human insulin (insulin degludec, Tresiba®);B29-N—(N-lithocholyl-gamma-glutamyl)-des(B30) human insulin;B29-N-(ω-carboxyheptadecanoyl)-des(B30) human insulin andB29-N-(ω-carboxyheptadecanoyl) human insulin.

Examples of GLP-1, GLP-1 analogues and GLP-1 receptor agonists are, forexample, Lixisenatide (Lyxumia®, Exenatide (Exendin-4, Byetta®,Bydureon®, a 39 amino acid peptide which is produced by the salivaryglands of the Gila monster), Liraglutide (Victoza®), Semaglutide,Taspoglutide, Albiglutide (Syncria®), Dulaglutide (Trulicity®),rExendin-4, CJC-1134-PC, PB-1023, TTP-054, Langlenatide/HM-11260C, CM-3,GLP-1 Eligen, ORMD-0901, NN-9924, NN-9926, NN-9927, Nodexen,Viador-GLP-1, CVX-096, ZYOG-1, ZYD-1, GSK-2374697, DA-3091, MAR-701,MAR709, ZP-2929, ZP-3022, TT-401, BHM-034. MOD-6030, CAM-2036, DA-15864,ARI-2651, ARI-2255, Exenatide-XTEN and Glucagon-Xten. An example of anoligonucleotide is, for example: mipomersen sodium (Kynamro®), acholesterol-reducing antisense therapeutic for the treatment of familialhypercholesterolemia. Examples of DPP4 inhibitors are Vildagliptin,Sitagliptin, Denagliptin, Saxagliptin, Berberine. Examples of hormonesinclude hypophysis hormones or hypothalamus hormones or regulatoryactive peptides and their antagonists, such as Gonadotropine(Follitropin, Lutropin, Choriongonadotropin, Menotropin), Somatropine(Somatropin), Desmopressin, Terlipressin, Gonadorelin, Triptorelin,Leuprorelin, Buserelin, Nafarelin, and Goserelin.

Examples of polysaccharides include a glucosaminoglycane, a hyaluronicacid, a heparin, a low molecular weight heparin or an ultra-lowmolecular weight heparin or a derivative thereof, or a sulphatedpolysaccharide, e.g. a poly-sulphated form of the above-mentionedpolysaccharides, and/or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. Anexample of a pharmaceutically acceptable salt of a poly-sulphated lowmolecular weight heparin is enoxaparin sodium. An example of ahyaluronic acid derivative is Hylan G-F 20 (Synvisc®), a sodiumhyaluronate.

The term “antibody”, as used herein, refers to an immunoglobulinmolecule or an antigen-binding portion thereof. Examples ofantigen-binding portions of immunoglobulin molecules include F(ab) andF(ab′)₂ fragments, which retain the ability to bind antigens. Theantibody can be polyclonal, monoclonal, recombinant, chimeric,de-immunized or humanized, fully human, non-human, (e.g., murine), orsingle chain antibody. In some embodiments, the antibody has effectorfunction and can fix a complement. In some embodiments, the antibody hasreduced or no ability to bind an Fc receptor. For example, the antibodycan be an isotype or subtype, an antibody fragment or mutant, which doesnot support binding to an Fc receptor, e.g., it has a mutagenized ordeleted Fc receptor binding region. The term antibody also includes anantigen-binding molecule based on tetravalent bispecific tandemimmunoglobulins (TBTI) and/or a dual variable region antibody-likebinding protein having cross-over binding region orientation (CODV).

The terms “fragment” or “antibody fragment” refer to a polypeptidederived from an antibody polypeptide molecule (e.g., an antibody heavyand/or light chain polypeptide) that does not comprise a full-lengthantibody polypeptide, but that still comprises at least a portion of afull-length antibody polypeptide that is capable of binding to anantigen. Antibody fragments can comprise a cleaved portion of a fulllength antibody polypeptide, although the term is not limited to suchcleaved fragments. Antibody fragments that are useful in the presentdisclosure include, for example, Fab fragments, F(ab′)2 fragments, scFv(single-chain Fv) fragments, linear antibodies, monospecific ormultispecific antibody fragments such as bispecific, trispecific,tetraspecific and multispecific antibodies (e.g., diabodies, triabodies,tetrabodies), monovalent or multivalent antibody fragments such asbivalent, trivalent, tetravalent and multivalent antibodies, minibodies,chelating recombinant antibodies, tribodies or bibodies, intrabodies,nanobodies, small modular immunopharmaceuticals (SMIP), binding-domainimmunoglobulin fusion proteins, camelized antibodies, and VHH containingantibodies. Additional examples of antigen-binding antibody fragmentsare known in the art.

The terms “Complementarity-determining region” or “CDR” refer to shortpolypeptide sequences within the variable region of both heavy and lightchain polypeptides that are primarily responsible for mediating specificantigen recognition. The term “framework region” refers to amino acidsequences within the variable region of both heavy and light chainpolypeptides that are not CDR sequences, and are primarily responsiblefor maintaining correct positioning of the CDR sequences to permitantigen binding. Although the framework regions themselves typically donot directly participate in antigen binding, as is known in the art,certain residues within the framework regions of certain antibodies candirectly participate in antigen binding or can affect the ability of oneor more amino acids in CDRs to interact with antigen. Examples ofantibodies are anti PCSK-9 mAb (e.g., Alirocumab), anti IL-6 mAb (e.g.,Sarilumab), and anti IL-4 mAb (e.g., Dupilumab).

Pharmaceutically acceptable salts of any API described herein are alsocontemplated for use in a drug or medicament in a drug delivery device.Pharmaceutically acceptable salts are for example acid addition saltsand basic salts.

Those of skill in the art will understand that modifications (additionsand/or removals) of various components of the APIs, formulations,apparatuses, methods, systems and embodiments described herein may bemade without departing from the full scope and spirit of the presentinvention, which encompass such modifications and any and allequivalents thereof.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A medicament delivery device, comprising: amain body arranged to receive a medicament cartridge sealed with apenetrable barrier; a needle holder directly coupled to and carrying aneedle; a cap removably coupled to the needle holder; and a pre-stressedspring connected to the needle holder and to the main body, wherein whenthe pre-stressed spring is held in a pre-stressed state by an activationelement, the activation element is directly coupled to the cap and tothe main body or directly coupled to the cap and to the pre-stressedspring, prior to any movement of the cap in a distal direction away fromthe medicament delivery device, and wherein the activation element isarranged to release the pre-stressed spring from the pre-stressed statewhen the cap is pulled in the distal direction from the medicamentdelivery device, thereby decoupling the activation element from the mainbody if the activation element is directly coupled to the cap and to themain body in the pre-stressed state, or from the pre-stressed spring ifthe activation element is directly coupled to the cap and to thepre-stressed spring in the pre-stressed state, and causing the needleholder to move axially in a proximal direction.
 2. The medicamentdelivery device of claim 1, wherein the needle holder comprises acup-shaped part configured to form a frictional fit with the medicamentcartridge.
 3. The medicament delivery device of claim 2, wherein thecup-shaped part has a lip to grip the medicament cartridge or acartridge holder.
 4. The medicament delivery device of claim 1, furthercomprising a needle shield for shielding a distal end of the needle,wherein the needle shield is arranged to be fixed to the cap andremovable from the needle.
 5. The medicament delivery device of claim 1,wherein the main body comprises a cartridge holder for receiving themedicament cartridge.
 6. The medicament delivery device of claim 5,wherein the pre-stressed spring is a constant force spring fixed, at afirst end thereof, to the cartridge holder and fixed, at a second endthereof, to a spring carrier attached to the needle holder, and whereinthe constant force spring is held in the pre-stressed state by aremovable portion of the activation element.
 7. The medicament deliverydevice of claim 5, wherein the pre-stressed spring is a pull springattached, at a first end thereof, to the cartridge holder and attached,at a second end thereof, to the needle holder.
 8. The medicamentdelivery device of claim 1, wherein the pre-stressed spring is a pullspring attached, at a first end thereof, to the main body and attached,at a second end thereof, to the needle holder.
 9. The medicamentdelivery device of claim 8, wherein the activation element is a detentdisposed on an interior region of the cap.
 10. The medicament deliverydevice of claim 9, wherein the cap has pivotable side walls that arearranged to release the detent when the cap is squeezed.
 11. Themedicament delivery device of claim 9, wherein the detent is releasableafter rotationally aligning the cap with the needle holder.
 12. Themedicament delivery device of claim 1, wherein the medicament deliverydevice contains the medicament cartridge and axial movement of theneedle holder causes the needle to penetrate the penetrable barrier ofthe medicament cartridge.
 13. The medicament delivery device of claim12, wherein the medicament cartridge contains a medicament.
 14. Themedicament delivery device of claim 1, wherein the medicament deliverydevice is an auto-injector.
 15. The medicament delivery device of claim1, wherein the pre-stressed spring is directly connected to the needleholder and to the main body.
 16. A method of operating a medicamentinjection device having a cap, the method comprising: holding apre-stressed spring of the medicament injection device in a pre-stressedstate with an activation element that is directly coupled to the cap andto the pre-stressed spring or directly coupled to the cap and to a mainbody of the medicament injection device prior to any pulling of the capin a distal axial direction away from the medicament injection device;and after holding the pre-stressed spring in the pre-stressed state,pulling the cap in the distal axial direction to remove the cap from themedicament injection device to release the pre-stressed spring, therebydecoupling the activation element from the main body if the activationelement is directly coupled to the cap and to the main body in thepre-stressed state, or from the pre-stressed spring if the activationelement is directly coupled to the cap and to the pre-stressed spring inthe pre-stressed state, and causing proximal movement of a needle holderdirectly coupled to and carrying a needle, to cause a proximal end ofthe needle to pierce a penetrable barrier of a medicament cartridge.